American White Pelican Returned to the Wild After Being Shot

NEWTON, IL-(Effingham Radio)- An American white pelican that was found shot at the Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is ready to return to the wild, according to veterinary caregivers at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

The pelican has recovered from the gunshot wound and subsequent lead poisoning.

It will be released today, near Clinton Lake.

Clinic leaders are hoping that the recovered pelican will join others of his kind on their spring migration from coastal United States to the Great Lakes and Canada to nest.

The pelican was the only survivor among a group of pelicans shot on April 3rd.

Five others died.

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